Much early communication research was inspired by systems theory. This approach emphasizes that individuals and groups use communication to interact with and respond to their larger environment and attempts to outline the ways that different levels interact with each other (e.g., work groups within departments within firms). Many concepts from systems theory—such as emergence and feedback loops—have become integral parts of communication theories. However, until recently, quantitative researchers have struggled to apply a systems approach. Large-scale, multilevel trace data from online platforms combined with computational advances are enabling a turn back toward systems-inspired research. I outline four systems-based approaches that recent research uses to study online communities: community comparisons, individual trajectories, cross-level mechanisms, and simulating emergent behavior. I end with a discussion of the opportunities and challenges of systems-based research for quantitative communication scholars.

中文翻译：

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研究在线社区的系统方法

许多早期的通信研究都受到系统理论的启发。这种方法强调个人和团体使用交流来与更大的环境互动并对其做出反应，并试图勾勒出不同层次之间相互作用的方式（例如，公司内部门内的工作组）。系统理论中的许多概念——例如涌现和反馈回路——已经成为传播理论的组成部分。然而，直到最近，定量研究人员一直在努力应用系统方法。来自在线平台的大规模、多层次的追踪数据与计算技术的进步相结合，正在转向系统启发的研究。我概述了最近研究用于研究在线社区的四种基于系统的方法：社区比较、个人轨迹、跨层级机制，模拟紧急行为。最后，我讨论了定量传播学者基于系统的研究的机遇和挑战。